Rowlands, formerly of Moston Road, Moston, and Aldford Road, Upton, both Chester, had admitted one charge of fraudulent trading.

Prosecutor Steven Donoghue said: 'This was a classic scam. There were over 100 companies who fell prey to this.

'Those who did not pay were pursued and handed over to a debt recovery company.'

The scam was uncovered by city police and county trading standards officers after complaints were received by businesses.

Mr Donoghue said: 'When interviewed, Rowlands said he got into financial trouble and was paying staff out of revenue that should have gone into the journal.'

Tom Somerville, defending, said Rowlands was 'hopelessly optimistic'.

He added: 'He becomes fuelled and imagines everything is going to turn out alright.'

Rowlands, now of Hoole Lane, Chester, also admitted separate offences of affray and a racially-aggravated public order offence when he attacked a group of law students in Chester city centre.

He also admitted another affray and having a blade in a public place during an incident when he was thrown out of a Chester nightclub.

As well as being jailed, Rowlands was banned from being a company director for five years.

Judge David Wynn Morgan told him: 'You made the remark that you wanted to be a millionaire by the age of 30.

'All the offences are so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified.'

Speaking afterwards, Cheshire police said: 'We have many reports of companies operating in this area and people should be aware that we do not have a relationship with any third party in securing advertising.